There comes a time when your current home no longer meets your requirements and thoughts turn to your next move. Maybe you have simply outgrown the space as you bought before you were a parent and now need more bedrooms. Perhaps you have moved work, or are about to, and need to be closer to your new work location. Or maybe you bought your current home always knowing that it was going to be short term because you couldn’t afford your ideal and now have some equity in the house that you can pair with an increased wage and a great mortgage deal to move to your dream home.
Regardless as to why you have decided to move on, there are steps you can take to ensure that your home attracts the best price and sells quickly in today’s competitive market.
If you have your own garden, tidy up outside. Make sure any flowerbeds are weeded, grass is cut, borders such as fences or walls are in good repair and paintwork is fresh and neutral. You want the immediate first impression to be one of a well-cared for home.
If you own a flat in a block you may not be able to dress the outside space quite as much, but now may be the time to attend those residents’ meetings and push for any planned work to be completed. You can also make sure that your front door is neat and take time to make sure that communal areas are tidy just before potential buyers visit.
Visible damage can put buyers off completely or potentially encourage them to ask for a large discount on the asking price as they may perceive that the cost of required repairs will be significant.
Remember too that whilst you might love your blush pink bedroom walls, your colour scheme may not be everyone’s taste. You want potential buyers to feel that they can either immediately move in without needing to make changes, or to make it easy for them to imagine putting their own stamp on the place. Now might be the time to flatten out bright colours with a neutral tone to allow their imaginations free rein when they come to view your home.
Small maintenance jobs and the odd pot of paint require minimal outlay and effort but will give potential new owners the impression of a well-maintained home in which they don’t need to immediately carry out work. This could be enough to make your home their choice over another one.
If your carpets are threadbare, it might be worth considering putting in new ones, certainly in the main living areas. Depending upon the size of your rooms, you may be able to find good deals in offcuts and do this quite cheaply.
If your carpets are in good repair but a bit tired looking, consider having them professionally cleaned or hiring a home cleaning kit. It is amazing the difference that a deep clean can make on even an old carpet.
Wooden floors can be freshened up too by giving them a thorough clean or, if necessary, a light sanding and varnish.
If a potential buyer doesn’t feel that they will need to immediately replace the flooring, this will add to the appeal of your property and help you to get the best sale price.
Whilst tidying up won’t add to the price you can ask for your home, it may help you to attain the asking price or close to it and aid a quick sale. Plus it’s completely free and just requires a little time. As a bonus, any clutter you can clear now means less to transfer to your new home.
For a potential buyer, this is another sign of a home that has been well cared for and a job they won’t have to complete themselves. As a bonus, you will potentially benefit from savings on your heating bill in the meantime too.
If your garden lacks colour or has blank areas, consider buying some cheap plants from your local garden centre to add instant impact.
Consider upgrading your light bulbs to bright and energy efficient ones. Placing strategic side lights in dark spaces can help to open up dark corners and, of course, can be taken with you to enjoy in your new home too.
It is a good idea to avoid air fresheners too. Not everyone likes the smell of an air freshener and if they see them in evidence, potential buyers may wonder what you are trying to hide.
All these steps are fairly cheap, quick and easy to implement and will go a long way towards helping your home sell quickly and for a good price. Remember whilst you are doing this to also contact our professional and helpful mortgage advisers to discuss your options so that you are ready to spring into action when your home sells and you find your new dream property.
At the Mortgage Hut, we can guide you through the options available to suit you and your personal circumstances and could help you to get an agreement in principle from a lender. This could enable you to move quickly to complete a sale when you have found your new home. Why not make an enquiry, use our Live Chat option or call the Mortgage Hut today on 0300 303 2640.
Regardless as to why you have decided to move on, there are steps you can take to ensure that your home attracts the best price and sells quickly in today’s competitive market.
1. Increase Your Kerb Appeal
The first thing a potential buyer will see is the outside of your home. First impressions count and can impact how they will view the rest of the property once inside.If you have your own garden, tidy up outside. Make sure any flowerbeds are weeded, grass is cut, borders such as fences or walls are in good repair and paintwork is fresh and neutral. You want the immediate first impression to be one of a well-cared for home.
If you own a flat in a block you may not be able to dress the outside space quite as much, but now may be the time to attend those residents’ meetings and push for any planned work to be completed. You can also make sure that your front door is neat and take time to make sure that communal areas are tidy just before potential buyers visit.
2. Roofing and Guttering Repairs
In addition to adding to kerb appeal, making repairs to your roof and guttering if required will reassure a potential buyer that there are unlikely to be any immediate costly structural repairs required. It will also add to the general neatness of your home when a buyer first walks up to the property.Visible damage can put buyers off completely or potentially encourage them to ask for a large discount on the asking price as they may perceive that the cost of required repairs will be significant.
3. Decoration and Maintenance
It is very easy to live in a home for a period and not notice the little things. Try to take a step back and look at your home as though you were seeing it for the first time and considering buying it. Maybe a door hinge has a screw missing. Perhaps your walls have become a little scuffed over the years. These little things are easy to fix and significantly add to the overall appeal of the property for potential buyers.Remember too that whilst you might love your blush pink bedroom walls, your colour scheme may not be everyone’s taste. You want potential buyers to feel that they can either immediately move in without needing to make changes, or to make it easy for them to imagine putting their own stamp on the place. Now might be the time to flatten out bright colours with a neutral tone to allow their imaginations free rein when they come to view your home.
Small maintenance jobs and the odd pot of paint require minimal outlay and effort but will give potential new owners the impression of a well-maintained home in which they don’t need to immediately carry out work. This could be enough to make your home their choice over another one.
4. Flooring
Take a good look at your floors. Would they benefit from cleaning, repairs or renewal? Remember, you need to weigh up the benefits of anything you do.If your carpets are threadbare, it might be worth considering putting in new ones, certainly in the main living areas. Depending upon the size of your rooms, you may be able to find good deals in offcuts and do this quite cheaply.
If your carpets are in good repair but a bit tired looking, consider having them professionally cleaned or hiring a home cleaning kit. It is amazing the difference that a deep clean can make on even an old carpet.
Wooden floors can be freshened up too by giving them a thorough clean or, if necessary, a light sanding and varnish.
If a potential buyer doesn’t feel that they will need to immediately replace the flooring, this will add to the appeal of your property and help you to get the best sale price.
5. Tidy Up
A messy, cluttered home makes it difficult for a potential buyer to imagine how they might make it theirs and put their own stamp on a property. Clutter can also make a home look and feel smaller than it is and put buyers off.Whilst tidying up won’t add to the price you can ask for your home, it may help you to attain the asking price or close to it and aid a quick sale. Plus it’s completely free and just requires a little time. As a bonus, any clutter you can clear now means less to transfer to your new home.
6. Spring Clean
When you’re living in a property, it’s very easy to miss the odd cobweb, dusty blinds or spot on the wall. However, a clean and fresh home is much more inviting to potential buyers. Pick a sunny day, throw open the windows and give your home a top to bottom clean. Don’t forget to move the furniture to pick up the dust that will inevitably have gathered behind it.7. Insulate the Loft
Insulation, running costs and the eco-friendliness of a property are increasingly important to today’s buyers. If your loft is already insulated check whether it is old and needs replacing. If it isn’t insulated, this is a relatively quick and cheap job to do. Most large DIY stores sell loft insulation rolls.For a potential buyer, this is another sign of a home that has been well cared for and a job they won’t have to complete themselves. As a bonus, you will potentially benefit from savings on your heating bill in the meantime too.
8. Tidy the Garden
In addition to ensuring that the front garden is neat and tidy, it is a good idea to give the back garden an update. A poorly kept garden spells work to a potential buyer whereas a well maintained and cheerful space encourages them to see themselves enjoying the garden in their leisure time.If your garden lacks colour or has blank areas, consider buying some cheap plants from your local garden centre to add instant impact.
9. Add Light to your Home
Light helps to create a feeling of space. Potential buyers always like properties that feel light and airy. Make sure your windows are freshly cleaned. Dirty windows block a surprising amount of light as well as looking shabby.Consider upgrading your light bulbs to bright and energy efficient ones. Placing strategic side lights in dark spaces can help to open up dark corners and, of course, can be taken with you to enjoy in your new home too.
10. Keep your Home Smelling Sweet
We’ve all heard that the smell of freshly baked bread or freshly brewed coffee can welcome potential buyers and make their first impressions more favourable. However, old smells and mustiness can have the reverse effect. Air your home regularly and avoid strong smelling meals prior to a visit from a potential buyer.It is a good idea to avoid air fresheners too. Not everyone likes the smell of an air freshener and if they see them in evidence, potential buyers may wonder what you are trying to hide.
All these steps are fairly cheap, quick and easy to implement and will go a long way towards helping your home sell quickly and for a good price. Remember whilst you are doing this to also contact our professional and helpful mortgage advisers to discuss your options so that you are ready to spring into action when your home sells and you find your new dream property.
At the Mortgage Hut, we can guide you through the options available to suit you and your personal circumstances and could help you to get an agreement in principle from a lender. This could enable you to move quickly to complete a sale when you have found your new home. Why not make an enquiry, use our Live Chat option or call the Mortgage Hut today on 0300 303 2640.
Home Mover Mortgages Expert Article by
Bob White
(Senior Mortgage Consultant)
The Mortgage Hut
0300 303 2640